Scottish Deerhound
蘇格蘭獵鹿犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Scottish Deerhound, the "Royal Dog of Scotland", is a giant, rough-coated coursing hound built on the Greyhound pattern and bred by Highland chieftains to run down red deer. Quiet, dignified and gentle in the house, devoted to its people and famously hard to get off the sofa as an adult, it nevertheless needs to run freely every day in a safe space and must be exercised on lead elsewhere because it will chase anything furry. It is a sensitive breed that does not cope with kennelling or being crated all day.
Facts
| Size | Large |
|---|---|
| Height | 71–81cm |
| Weight | 34–50kg |
| Life expectancy | 8–11years |
| Breed group | AKC: hound FCI: 10 |
| Role | Hound |
| Coat | Wire coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 45–150min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 1/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 5/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 4/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
Dilated cardiomyopathy is reported in the breed. Ask your vet about cardiac screening, particularly for breeding stock.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
Deep-chested dogs of this breed are at risk of bloat, a life-threatening emergency. Ask your vet about the warning signs and prevention options.
Cancer
Certain cancers are reported at higher rates in the breed. Ask your vet about regular check-ups and about any new lumps.
Urinary stones
Urinary stones are reported in the breed; DNA tests exist for some forms. Ask your vet about diet and about any straining to urinate.
Liver shunt (portosystemic shunt)
Liver shunts are reported in the breed, particularly in small dogs. Ask your vet if a puppy is small, unwell after meals or slow to grow.
Cystinuria
Cystinuria (a cause of urinary stones) is reported in the breed; a DNA test exists. Ask your breeder about testing.
Bleeding disorders
Inherited bleeding disorders are reported in the breed; DNA tests exist. Tell your vet before any surgery.
Behaviour
Quiet aristocrat that needs to run
The CKC describes a quiet, dignified, keen and alert hound that is easily trained and dependably loyal, but as a coursing breed with strength and speed it needs lots of outdoor exercise and a safe place to stretch its long limbs. The AKC says puppies and adults must be able to exercise freely daily and run for the joy of it; a daily leash-walk round the block is not enough and destructive puppies are usually under-exercised.
Sensitive, chases anything furry
The AKC says Deerhounds are sensitive, respond best to positive methods, will not do well in a kennel or left crated while their people work, and may try to chase any furry animal that runs past, so they should be exercised on lead or in a fenced area; their size can intimidate small children. Puppies are hard to raise well without a companion playmate and a large, securely fenced play area.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "more than 2 hours per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 3/5, barking level 1/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Scottish Deerhound
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Deerhound Scottish (Hounds)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Deerhound
Breed characteristics (size large, exercise more than 2 hours per day, lifespan over 10 years).
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Deerhound (standard no. 164, group 10)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's "So you think you want a Deerhound?" page says the breed thrives only in homes where it is actively made part of the family; it does best on a daily mix of walking, trotting and running with some off-lead play in a secure fenced area, is naturally obedient but dislikes repetitive drilling, and needs a reliable recall taught. Be honest with yourself: it is big, busy as a puppy and prone to long naps as an adult, probably will not fetch, will not guard the door — and will help itself to a roast left on the counter. Its Health 101 page asks every owner to know their dog's genetic status for the two bleeding disorders (Factor VII deficiency and DEPOH) before any surgery.”
— Scottish Deerhound Club of America — So, You Think You Want a Scottish Deerhound? via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Scottish Deerhound — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Deerhound Scottish — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Deerhound — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Deerhound — FCI standard no. 164 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]So, You Think You Want a Scottish Deerhound? — Scottish Deerhound Club of America — Scottish Deerhound Club of America (public breed pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [8]Deerhound Health 101 — Scottish Deerhound Club of America — Scottish Deerhound Club of America (public health pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.